ES2204092T3 - WORK STATION GIVEN WITH A PLURALITY OF CLIPS TO FIX A WORK PIECE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Workstation (1) provided with a plurality of tweezers (20) for fixing a workpiece, each of the tweezers (20) comprising a clamp body (35) supported so as to slide along longitudinal guides (4) fixed to a bench (3) along a work axis (X), a support surface (21) or work plane (22) for the workpiece arranged above the clamp body (35), jaws ( 41, 42) which are movable relative to each other from a separate position to an attached position to fix the workpiece, and which are supported so that they slide on the clamp body (35), actuator means (65) supported by the clamp body (35) below the work plane (22), and kinematically coupled to at least one jaw (42) for the movement thereof, characterized in that said longitudinal guides (4) are fixed to a plurality of nerves (31), said ribs (31) being distributed along said working axis (X) and being provided with a respective V-shaped window (69) located between said guides (4), said V-shaped windows forming a longitudinal channel (69a) open towards said working plane (22 ), said actuator means (65) being housed in said channel (69a).

Description

Workstation equipped with a plurality of tweezers to fix a work piece.

The present invention relates to a station of work endowed with a plurality of tweezers to fix a piece of work. Each of the pliers comprises a caliper body supported so that it slides along longitudinal guides arranged on a bench along a work axis, an area of support or work plane for the arranged work piece over the body of the clamp, as well as jaws that can move relative to each other from a separate position to an attached position to grab the work piece, and that they are supported so that they slide on the caliper body.

Purely in order to simplify the Explanation of the present invention, will now be made non-limiting reference to a workstation for the production of profiled sections of the type used for construction of racks or frames in general, or for the machining of parts that have a predominant dimension with with respect to the others such as, for example, tubes, panels and beams or similar.

Currently, work stations of the type above mentioned are constructed so that they comprise actuator means fixed above the clamp body for de bear and open and close the jaws.

The basic inconvenience found in the Workstations of the type specified above, you can recognize mainly in the fact that the known clamp is cumbersome

In particular, the actuator means mentioned above obstruct the displacement of work items around the piece and prevent the Operator quickly and accurately access the work area.

In known workstations, the space above the work plane, particularly the space that the work item can reach (usually defined as the workspace), is occupied considerably by the media actuators and cannot be used. For example, in Known work stations, more than 30% of the workspace is busy or, anyway, is obstructed by the presence of tweezers.

In known workstations, it turns out impossible to perform operations in the vicinity of the clamp due to the large dimensions of this, which entails placing the piece repeatedly on the work surface to be able to complete the work

The growing need for high machining precision does not allow to place the piece repeatedly, since this results in inevitable errors in the placement of the points of reference of the machining and therefore, to a reduction considerable in machining accuracy.

Known work stations, too suffer from the disadvantage that the clamps cannot be joined closely with each other to get a pinched area of the work piece for a considerable length of said piece with the in order to allow difficult operations to be carried out with precision in the vicinity of the clamping unit jaws.

In addition, the long operations necessary to put the piece back on the work plane, give rise to a considerable increase and therefore unacceptable in the time of production.

The document nº EP-A-623420 unveils a workstation equipped with a plurality of tweezers, each clamp comprising a clamp body supported so that slide along a longitudinal guide. The actuator means are supported by the caliper body below the work plane and above the longitudinal guide. A workstation of this type suffers from the drawback that the vertical dimension of the structure as a whole contributes considerably to weaken its stability

The objective of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art cited above, and propose a workstation that includes a clamp less cumbersome

This objective is achieved through a Workstation according to claim 1.

The present will be better understood invention from the following description of a form of preferred embodiment thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example, referring to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a workstation, schematically and in perspective,

Figure 2 represents an axonometric view partially in section illustrating a detail of a clamp coupled to the base of a workstation with the jaws on the attached or closed position,

Figure 3 represents an axonometric view that illustrates the clamp of Figure 2 with the jaws in position separate or open,

Figure 4 represents the clamp of Figure 2 in which a jaw is fixed to the displacer means with the in order to achieve the maximum opening of the clamp,

Figure 5 represents another axonometric view partially in section illustrating an embodiment different from the invention with a clamp beside which provide for detecting means, together with means for fixing the clamp to means to support and move the elements of job,

Figure 6 represents a plan view partially in section illustrating a detail of Figure 5,

Figure 7 represents another embodiment of the invention, in a sectional side view, and

Figure 8 represents a plan view partially in section illustrating the clamp of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 1, a station of work is generally designated with the numerical reference one.

Workstation 1 comprises a bank 3 that supports sliding guides 4 longitudinally. The guides 4 are arranged parallel to a work axis, by example, the work axis defined by the X axis.

Means, generally designated with the numerical reference 5, to support and move an element of work or a machining head, indicated by reference numerical 6, cooperate with bank 3.

For example, a pillar 10 coupled so that slide to the side of the bench 3 supports perpendicular arms 11, 12 that can slide to move the head 6 in a space of work planned above and beside the bank 3.

Pillar 10 and arms 11, 12 of station 1 are operatively coupled to a control unit 15, by example, a numerical control device.

A plurality of tweezers 20 are supported of so that they slide in the guides 4 above the bench 3.

Each of the tweezers has a surface upper 21 to support the work piece.

The support surfaces 21 of the plurality of Tweezers 20 are coplanar and define a work plane 22.

As can be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 4, the bank 3 comprises longitudinal projections 30 among which provide for transverse nerves 31.

Support plates 32 and 33 for guides 4 are fixed transversely to the plurality of nerves 31.

A clamp body 35, arranged in a direction transversal with respect to the guides 4, presents its base 36 coupled to said guides 4 by sliding blocks 37.

The clamp body 35 is shaped advantageously in the form of a plate and is arranged in the direction vertical so that it is extremely compact crosswise (along the X axis).

In the upper part of the caliper body 35 the surface 21 intended to support the piece is provided, and that define the work plane 22.

The surface 21 intended to support the piece is obtains, particularly advantageously, by fixing, on the upper part of the clamp body 35, of a plate 40 made of synthetic material such as, for example, a plate of nylon or Teflon, preferably made of one more material Soft that material to work.

Jaws 41 and 42, supported on the body of clamp 35, can move relative to each other from one separate position to an attached position to grab the piece of work.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, a jaw 41 is fixed to the clamp body 35.

For example, it is expected to be fixed to one end of the caliper body 35 a stirrup-shaped support 43 whose arms they extend transversely in relation to the plane of I work 22 and on top of this one.

The jaws are preferably covered with a layer 44 of synthetic material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the movable jaws 42 is supported by a carriage 46 coupled so that it slides into the caliper body 35

Advantageously, carriage 46 has the shape of plate and is arranged so that it is oriented towards the clamp body 35, which considerably limits the dimension transverse of the clamp 20.

Above carriage 46 a plurality of longitudinal fixing positions 48, 49, 50 for the jaw mobile 42.

The mobile jaw 42 has, for example, the stirrup shape and is fixed to an L-shaped element 52 supported on the carriage in the area of the fixing position 48, what which allows to establish a desired distance between jaws 41, 42 or get to open said jaws, according to the description more Detailed provided below.

Fixing arms of the mobile jaw 42 are arranged transversely in relation to the plane of work 22 and extend above said plane 22.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the clamp body 35 comprises a channel longitudinal.

The channel houses a guide means 56 fixed to car 46.

Preferably, the clamp body 35 has a longitudinal groove 55.

The carriage 46 comprises two plates 57 arranged in opposition to the sides of the caliper body 35 in the area of the slot 55.

Bearings 56 housed in slot 55 are associated so that they rotate freely on the plates 57.

This preferred embodiment of the invention allows the carriage 46 to be placed below the work plane 22

Through holes provided in plates 57 They house threaded rods 59 for lateral guidance of carriage 46 without slack

Particularly, threaded rods 59 are hollow and comprise truncated conical heads facing the clamp body 35. Each of the hollow heads houses a ball Free rotation The ball is bound by a spring provided in the inside of the threaded rod in order to press the ball against the lateral surface 60 of the clamp body 35 and load previously car 46.

The car 46 has, at its base, an extension oriented down 61 arranged so that its free end is below work plane 22 and preferably below plane in which the guides 4 are arranged.

Actuator means 65 are fixed to the clamp body 35 below the work plane 22.

In particular, a base plate 66 is fixed to the clamp body 35 and comprises a transverse rib 67 intended to support the actuator means 65.

The base plate 66 is arranged so advantageous above the sliding blocks 37 of the caliper body 35. The actuator means 65, therefore, are arranged below the plane of the guides 4.

Another advantage is that the media 65 actuators are housed in a 69a channel provided in the bank 3, formed by the provision of V-shaped windows 69 in the nerves 31 of the bank 3.

The actuator means 65, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder and piston device.

A piston rod 70 is coupled so operating at the free end 62 of the extension 61 of the carriage 46.

Alternatively, a gearmotor unit, operatively coupled to a screw worm bearing bearing bearings under the clamp body 35.

Some female thread elements with threads opposite cooperate with the screw and are fixed to the ends 62 of the extensions 61 of the carriages 46 that support the jaws mobile one in relation to the other.

At the end of the clamp body 35, a fixing bracket 72 that cooperates with jaws 41, 42.

When the work piece is in the fixed position, the fixing bracket 72 is arranged against the piece.

A second actuator means 75 are supported on the clamp body 35 below the work plane 22

The actuator means 75 are coupled with Kinematic form to the fixing plate 72.

A cylinder 77 that houses a control rod is advantageously fixed to one end 76 of the caliper body 35

The fixing bracket 72 is coupled in transverse direction to the upper end of the control rod 78.

The opposite end of the control rod 78 is operatively coupled to actuator means 75.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, an actuator 75 composed of a cylinder and a piston, for example, a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator is fixed to the end 76 of the clamp body 35 and is arranged in the direction vertical below the end 76 of the clamp body 35, being arranged the actuator below the plane in which they are arranged the guides 4.

The piston rod is coupled so operating to the control rod 78.

In the fully lowered position, that is, the position in which the clamp is closed, the bracket 72 is advantageously housed in a channel provided between the arms of jaws 41 and 42 forked.

Actuator means 65 and 75 are coupled Operationally to a control unit.

Actuator means 65 and 75 are coupled advantageously and operatively to the numerical control device 15 governing the workstation 1.

The advantage in avoiding the provision of tools arranged above the work plane and obstructing the head of work, can be understood from the description previous. In this way the part of the piece, which is close to the jaws, is accessible to the work item.

In the proposed workstation, the space of work is very large, which allows to do the work placing the piece only once.

The workstation according to the invention It works in the following way.

First, the plurality of tweezers 20 they are placed along bench 3 to get support uniform and distributed work piece. This operation is performs in such a way that it prevents the weight of the piece and the The effect of working it folds the piece excessively, which It would reduce your work tolerance.

For machining operations particularly difficult, it is possible to provide several tweezers 20 side by side in order to provide a wide support for the piece, and a firm and extensive anchorage to the bank 3.

The arrangement of the tweezers 20 next to another does not obstruct work.

In fact, through the workstation 1 proposed, the clamp 20 does not present any lateral obstruction that prevents free movement of the means 5 to support and move work item 6.

A signal sent by the control unit 15 circulates air to the cylinder actuator means and piston 65 and 75 to fully extend the rod 70 of the piston, which separates and lifts jaws 41 and 42 completely and the fixing bracket 72 (the open position of the clamp 20 visible in Figures 3 and 4).

When the work piece has been placed in the support surface 21 and between jaws 41, 42, a signal to actuator means 65 and 75 to retract the rod 70 in order to bring jaws 41, 42 and the cartouche closer fixing each other to fix the piece in the working position with the desired strength

Then the piece can be machined the means 5 acting to support and displace the element of work 6.

In addition, since there are no obstructions on of the work plane 22, the work element 6 can be freely oriented with respect to the piece.

It can be seen from the description earlier than the invention allows work to be carried out in the vicinity of the jaw fixing point, which prevents errors caused by the deformation of the piece under the effects of job.

The maximum opening of the clamp can be modified according to the transverse dimensions of the work piece.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, if the clamping position of the jaw 42 which is movable in carriage 35, a different angle of opening of the clamp 20 (indicated with reference F or G) with the same carriage travel 35.

The maximum opening G that can be achieved is you can compare advantageously with the distance between the guides 4, since the presence of the actuator means 65, 75, arranged below work plane 22, does not obstruct the displacement of carriage 35, nor of jaws 41, 42, nor of the cartouche 72.

In order to fix the clamp 20 to the bank 3 of effectively and accurately and allow the clamp 20 to be replaced quickly along said bank 3, the clamp 20 comprises fixing devices, generally designated by reference numerical 100.

A projection 101 fixed to the base of the body of clamp 35 supports a pair of fixing devices 102 and 103 arranged in opposition and cooperating with fixing surfaces 104, 105, respectively, extending longitudinally with regarding the bank 3.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, which can be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the devices 102 and 103 cooperate with side surfaces 104 and 105 of a plate 106 arranged longitudinally with respect to the bank 3.

The devices 102, 103, for example, pneumatic or hydraulic devices, are operated during the fixing action by springs that act in such a way that they extract the pistons of said devices. The action of the docks is opposite, selectively, by the action of a fluid pressurized

The fluid action is controlled by a switch 110 provided on a motion crank 111 fixed to one end 112 of the clamp body 35.

To allow the tweezers 20 to be placed quickly to along the bank 3, for example, according to the dimensions of the piece and the type of work to be done, means, designated in general with numerical reference 200, to detect the position of the clamp 20 along the bank 3, are fixed to the means of support and displacement 5 of element 6 to work the piece. Said means 200 include means 201 for fixing the body of clamp 35 to the support and displacement means 5.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, a cooperation plate 205 fixed to the base plate 66, is arranged longitudinally with respect to bench 3 and is oriented towards the support and displacement means 5.

Cooperation plate 205 has a hole conical trunk 206.

At the base of hole 206 a lever is provided 207 to activate a switch 208 that controls the opening of the fixing devices 100.

The detecting means 200 comprise a transducer 210, for example, an optical transducer, a transducer non-contact position, or similar, fixed to a structure of support 211 coupled to the pillar 10, so that it is arranged oriented towards the caliper body 35.

The transducer 210 is coupled in a manner operational to the control unit 15 of the workstation one.

A cylinder and piston device 212, for For example, a pneumatic or hydraulic device is fixed to the support structure 211 of transducer 210, and comprises a pin 214 at the end of its stem 213.

The pin 214 has a shape free end conical trunk that can cooperate with the conical trunk not intern 206 of the clamp 20, thus fixing the clamp 20 to the pillar 10 of the support and displacement means 5.

When it is necessary to remove the clip 20, the transducer 210 detects the position of the clamp 20 during the travel of the pillar 10 along the bank 3.

Next, transducer 210 sends a signal to the control unit 15 that aligns pin 214 with the Trunk hole 206.

Once the pin 214 is aligned, the unit of control 15 sends a signal to device 212 of the means for fix the clamp 20 to the pillar 10, and the device 212 extends pin 214, coupling its conical end with the hole 206.

As the pin 214 advances in the hole 206, acts on the control lever 207 of the switch 208 which releases the device 100 that fixes the clip 20.

Once pin 214 is engaged firmly in the conical borehole 206, it is possible move the pillar 10 to place the clamp 20 along the bench 3 in a controlled way.

In a different embodiment of the invention, each of the tweezers 20 comprises its own means conductors for independent displacement adjustable to guide length 4.

As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, a gearmotor unit 300 the clamp body 35 is fixed.

The gearmotor unit 300 can be operated in controlled form, for example, is operatively coupled to the control unit 15 of the workstation 1.

The gearmotor unit is arranged so advantageous at one end of the clamp body 35 below the plane of work 22. A pinion coupled to the gearmotor unit 300 cooperates with a toothed bar 302 fixed longitudinally to the upper part of the shoulder 30 of the bank 3.

Claims (16)

1. Workstation (1) equipped with a plurality of pliers (20) for fixing a workpiece, each of the pliers (20) comprising a clamp body (35) supported so that it slides along longitudinal guides (4) ) fixed to a bench (3) along a work axis (X), a support surface (21) or work plane (22) for the workpiece arranged above the clamp body (35), jaws (41, 42) that are movable relative to each other from a separate position to an attached position to fix the workpiece, and that are supported so that they slide into the clamp body (35), actuator means ( 65) supported by the clamp body (35) below the work plane (22), and kinematically coupled to at least one jaw (42) for the movement thereof, characterized in that said longitudinal guides (4) are fixed to a plurality of ribs (31), said ribs (31) being distributed along of said work axis (X) and being provided with a respective V-shaped window (69) located between said guides (4), said V-shaped windows forming a longitudinal channel (69a) open towards said work plane ( 22), said actuator means (65) being housed in said channel (69a). 2. Workstation (1) according to the claim 1, wherein the actuator means (65) are arranged below the plane of the guides (4) to support the body  clamp (35). 3. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein each of the jaws mobile (42) is supported by a carriage (46) coupled so that slide on the caliper body (35). 4. Workstation (1) according to the claim 3, wherein the carriage (46) comprises a plurality of positions (48, 49, 50) for fixing the jaw (42). 5. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 3 and 4, wherein the carriage (46) comprises a operational extension (61) arranged with its free end (62) below of the work plane (22), and in which the free end (62) is operatively coupled to the actuator means (65). 6. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the clamp body (35) it comprises a longitudinal channel (55) arranged parallel to the work plane (22), and in which the channel (55) houses media sliders (56) fixed to the carriage (46). 7. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a fixing bracket (72) it is mobilely supported in the clamp body (35) so that cooperates with the jaws (41, 42), the cartouche being arranged for fixing (72) against the workpiece in the position of fixation. 8. Workstation (1) according to claim 7, wherein a second actuator means (75) supported on the clamp body (35) below the work plane (22) are kinematically coupled to the fixing plate (72). 9. Workstation (1) according to claim 8, wherein a cylinder (77) attached to one end (76) of the clamp body (35) houses a control rod (78) and the end of the control rod (78) protruding from the cylinder (77) It is coupled to the fixing bracket (72). 10. Workstation (1) according to claim 9, wherein the end of the control rod (78) opposite the fixing bracket (72) is coupled so operative to the second actuator means (75). 11. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein one of the jaws (41) is fixed to the clamp body (35) in the vicinity of one end (76) thereof. 12. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein devices (100) for fix the clamp (20) are fixed to the clamp body (35) below of the work plane (22) and operate in opposite positions, cooperating with respective fixing surfaces (104, 105) extending longitudinally with respect to the bank (3) from the workstation (1). 13. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising means (5) of support and movement of an element (6) to work in the piece, with means (200) to detect the position of the clamp (20) along the bank (3) and also including means (201) to fix the clamp body (35) to the support means and displacement (5). 14. Workstation (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the tweezers (20) includes its own conductive means (300) for independent displacement adjustable along the guides (4). 15. Workstation (1) according to claim 14, wherein a gearmotor unit (300) fixed to the clamp body (35) can operate in a controlled manner and a pinion (301) coupled to the gearmotor unit (300) cooperates with a toothed bar (302) fixed longitudinally to the bench (3) of the work station (1). 16. Workstation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp body (35) It has a plate shape.